Taboret ca. 1837 Attributed to Workshop of Duncan Phyfe Scottish In the early nineteenth century, designers and furniture makers embraced a revival of Classical prototypes from ancient Greek and Roman architecture and decorative arts, like this taboret (or stool). The curule form, or ogee-crossed stretcher base, plays on a Classical folding stool (sella curulis) often used by Roman magistrates which was popularly adapted by nineteenth-century French and English designers. Designs for taborets with curule bases appear in well-known publications from the period like Pierre de La Mésangère's Collection de Meubles et Objets de Goût (1820-1831) and the London fashion journal, Ackermans Repository of Arts.This taboret is part of an expansive suite of seating furniture attributed to the workshop of cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe (see 66.221.1-.10 and 1972.264.1-.2). It was made to furnish the New York City townhouse, belonging to the lawyer Samuel A. Foot, located at 678 Broadway which had been c